This year, Michigan voters have the privilege and freedom to participate in the greatest exercise of democracy by voting for candidates who have come forward to serve their com-munities. Tuesday, November 3, 2020 is Election Day, where the following offices—from the local township hall to the president of the country—will be decided:

• Federal: President of the United States of America, one of two Michigan U.S. Senate seats, and all fourteen U.S. Representatives in Michigan’s Congressional Delegation.

• State: Two justices for the Michigan Supreme Court, two members of the State Board of Education, and all 110 State Representatives.

• Local: Probate judges, county commissioners, and various other local, township, and municipal officials. In many areas, Michiganders will also weigh in on critical ballot issues that impact services and policies within their local communities.

By Election Day, most Americans will likely have be-come exhausted by candidates, commentators, and political operatives who promote partisanship, division, fear, and name-calling. While running a campaign should be an op-portunity for candidates to share their talents and abilities, past elections have led many to disengage from the politi-cal process, even though elected officials will have a signif-icant impact on local neighborhoods, schools, and services.

In the days and weeks leading up to the election, Michigan Catholics have the responsibility to consider how they can best serve their communities through election choices and contribute to a climate of civility in the face of divisiveness and disagreement. In fact, Catholics can play a large role in returning civility and respect to the political process.

During the election, and perhaps just as importantly in their daily lives, Catholics are reminded to allow their faith to guide their politics. The principles of faith that govern one’s daily life should also guide political viewpoints, and when necessary, “transform the political party…to which [he or she] belongs.”1 Rather than considering what a cer-tain party would do, Catholics have the opportunity to ask:

• What does God want me to do?• How will my voting choice help to promote the com-

mon good and protect human dignity?• How can I speak up about the issues that matter in a

respectful way?

This focus publication will examine the role of con-science formation and civility in the 2020 Election and provide questions and thoughts for consideration before Michiganders cast their ballot. It also offers insights from the lives of several Catholic saints, whose examples in pub-lic life teach the importance of courage, faith, and a love for others. •

THE ISSUES, THE CANDIDATES, AND YOUR VOTE 2020

focusVol. 48, No. 3, September 2020

C o n f e r e n c e

MichiganCatholic

Human Life and DignityFrom the moment an individual is conceived until his or her natural death, that person possesses dignity as a human be-ing made in the image and likeness of God. Together with the frail and elderly, the handicapped and marginalized, the dignity of all human life must be protected, beginning with the unborn child in the womb. Rampant gun violence, mal-treatment of the sick and disabled, and the loss of over 60 million children due to legalized abortion illustrate the need for a more just and violence-free society.

• Will the candidate support policies that provide women in difficult pregnancies with pre- and post-natal care, transportation and employment assistance, and other necessary care to help her through and after the pregnancy?

• Will the candidate oppose direct threats to human life, such as abortion, racism, assisted suicide, eutha-nasia, the death penalty, embryonic stem cell re-search, and violence?

St. Gianna Beretta Molla—an Italian physician—is the patron saint of unborn

children. During her fourth pregnancy, St. Gianna chose not to undergo a procedure for

her health that would have resulted in the death of her unborn child. She delivered a healthy baby

but died from postoperative complications. Her bold decision to put another life before her own is an ex-

ample of extraordinary and courageous action to protect human dignity. Other examples: St. Elizabeth, St. Gerard Majella, St. John Paul II, St. Joseph, and St. Katharine Drexel.

Religious LibertyThe constitutional freedoms that permit Americans to prac-tice their faith freely and prohibit the government from in-truding in religious life are among the foremost principles of the American experiment. This election season reminds us that these sacred principles are no longer paramount to some in the political and civil arena. Elected officials are thus urged to re-invigorate religious liberty for all, thereby promoting peace, understanding, and service to others in the public square.

• Does the candidate support the right of religious individuals and institutions, such as hospitals, charity agencies, and schools, to operate according to their deeply held beliefs?

• Does the candidate oppose restrictions on refugee acceptance and resettlement on the basis of religion?

St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers, statesmen,

and politicians. St. Thomas More served in a variety of public roles, including as Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII. He refused to ac-

knowledge the king’s divorce or recognize the king as the

head of the Church, which led to

ISSUES TO CONSIDER BEFORE VOTINGCatholics are called to consider a wide range of issues import-ant to the common good before voting, weighing each accord-ing to its moral importance. During this process, it is beneficial to research the ballot ahead of time, gathering the facts for every question or candidate. The paragraphs below offer information about Catholic teaching, questions to as-sist voters in evaluating candidate positions or polit-ical party platforms, and a list of relevant saints from whom believers can learn before casting their ballot.2 Consider using these tools for prayer and reflection during the con-science formation process.

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St. Thomas’s execution. St. Thomas More is an example of holding strong to one’s convictions in the face of extreme government pressure. Other examples: St. Andrew Dung-Lac, St. Edith Stein, St. John Fisher, St. José Luis Sánchez del Río, and St. Paul Miki.

Preferential Option for the PoorThe Gospels share how Jesus saw dignity and value in ev-ery living person, especially those on the margins and those discarded or overlooked by the authorities. His example of charity and love for others inspire within the human heart a desire to serve the less fortunate. Catholics should consider how candidates will support policies that improve economic conditions and protect the vulnerable.

• Does the candidate promote policies that protect Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens and foster the creation of jobs, with acceptable working conditions and just wages?

• Has the candidate discussed day-to-day realities with the poor and how he or she could assist, for example by supporting affordable housing and transportation policies for low- and moderate-income families and individuals?

St. Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charities. He founded several hospitals and col-lected funds for war victims. His life inspired Blessed Frédéric Ozanam to create The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833, which of-fers person-to-person services for those in need. Catholics are called to help one another through acts of charity and justice in the public realm. Other exam-ples: St. Cajetan, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Óscar Romero, and Blessed Solanus Casey.

EducationParents have the fundamental right to choose a school most suitable for their children.3 The state has a responsibility to allow public and nonpublic options for all. Where existing structures continually fail low-income families, new models and choices become necessary.

• Does the candidate support the expansion of school choice options such as tuition tax credits, opportuni-ty scholarships, or similar programs?

• How does the candidate propose to improve the quality of public education, especially for low-in-come students?

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patron saint of Catholic ed-

ucation and the founder of the first Catholic schools in the country. Following the death of her husband when she was thirty, St. Elizabeth

supported five children, con-verted to Catholicism, and

became a founding member of the Sisters of Charity. St. Elizabeth

Ann Seton’s example reminds Catholics to remain hopeful through difficulties. Other examples: St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Baptiste de la Salle, St. John Bosco, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Children and FamiliesStrong communities are formed when stable and loving fam-ilies are supported and encouraged. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage—the love of a man and a woman in a life-long commitment—is a vocation and blessing that ide-ally produces children for future generations. Public officials can support marriages and families through their positions and policies.

• Where does the candidate stand on policies that protect the stability of marriage and the institution of the family?

• Does the candidate believe in protecting marriage as an institution that brings together one man and one woman in faithful union?

Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin are the first spouses to be canon-ized as a couple in the mod-ern Church. Throughout their marriage, the pair demonstrated a deep com-mitment to their faith and fostered a loving family life. They had nine children, in-cluding St. Therese of Lisieux. Louis and Zélie offer inspiration for

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families about finding faith and strength through challeng-es. Other examples: St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Nicholas, St. Priscilla, St. Rita of Cascia, and St. Valentine.

Health CareAlong with food, water, and shelter, access to health care is a basic human right. The Church considers healing a cen-tral ministry and has long fought for quality, affordable, and life-affirming care, especially for the poor.

• Does the candidate support increased access to affordable health care for low- and moderate-income individuals and families?

• Does the candidate respect human life, human dignity, and religious freedom in the health care system?

St. Teresa of Calcutta is well-known for dedicating her life

to caring for the poorest of the poor. In 1950, St. Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and created a home for the destitute and the dy-

ing. An unyielding advocate for all human life, St. Teresa’s

life affirmed the worth of every person through her care and public

service. Other examples: St. Damien of Molokai, St. Luke, St. Marianne Cope, St. Padre Pio, and St. Peregrine.

Restorative JusticeIn recent years, the criminal justice system has learned it is more effective to be smart on crime rather than simply rely-ing on harsh punishments. A Catholic approach to criminal justice begins with calling for all to be free from crime and violence, while at the same time recognizing an offender’s dignity and pursuing solutions that encourage rehabilita-tion rather than retribution.

• Does the candidate support sentencing guidelines and parole practices that reflect an individual’s potential threat to society, rather than mandatory minimum sentencing?

• Does the candidate support rehabilitation and re-entry programs for those who were incarcerated, to help them become productive members of society upon release?

St. Maximilian Kolbe is the pa-tron of the imprisoned. The friar operated a religious publishing press, opened monasteries, and during World War II, started a temporary hospital. St. Maximilian Kolbe was taken to Auschwitz and volunteered to die in the place of another man. His sacrifice urges Catholics to ask: what more can one give of his or her own life to support those in need, including victims of crimes and prisoners whose dignity is often ignored? Other examples: St. Daniel of Padua, St. Dismas, St. John Cafasso, St. Maria Goretti, and St. Germaine Cousin.

Immigrants and RefugeesMigrant worker visas and refugee resettlement policies have come to the forefront of the nation’s immigration dialogue. Catholics are sensitive to the reasons why families flee their home country, such as war, unjust governments, and au-thoritarian regimes that suppress religious freedom, often-times with violence. A lack of food, water, health care, or other necessities also play a role.

• Does the candidate support an immigration reform proposal that offers a path to citizenship, treats work-ers fairly, and prevents the separation of families?

• Does the candidate support immigration reform that maintains border integrity, respects U.S. laws, and addresses factors that compel people to leave their own countries?

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is the patron saint of immigrants.

She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, as well as almost seventy institutions after coming to America, including orphan-ages, hospitals, and schools.

In 1909, she became a natural-ized citizen of the United States.

Her life reminds Catholics of the val-ue of “welcoming the stranger” and engaging with people of cultures different from their own. Other examples: St. Alban, Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, St. Julian, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, and St. Toribio Romo.

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Care for CreationMichigan’s fresh water, beaches, and iconic scenery provide a haven for rest and reflect God’s beauty. At the same time, due to poor policy decisions, polluted drinking water and an expanded presence of contaminants in soil have dispro-portionately impacted farmers, minorities, and low-income areas of the state. As a reflection of God’s love and his man-date to serve the poor, caring for God’s creation has long been of concern for the Catholic Church.

• How will the candidate address environmental issues, particularly their impact on the poor?

• Does the candidate support policies that will protect the state’s natural resources?

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint, is the patron saint of the environ-ment and ecology. She grew closer to God through her encounters with nature, in-cluding praying for an hour each day in the woods. St. Kateri respected the connect-edness of the environment and of human beings, a lesson that is critical for people of faith and for communities today. Other exam-ples: St. Bonaventure, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Isidore the Farmer, and St. Martin de Porres. •

DEVELOPING A WELL-FORMED CONSCIENCEFollowing in the footsteps of Jesus, it is the lifelong re-sponsibility for Catholics “to do good and oppose evil,” in-cluding in election choices.4 To distinguish between right and wrong, people of faith turn to their conscience: a tool that relies on the “judgement of reason” and Scripture to offer guidance for decision-making.5 Each Catholic is called to develop a “well-formed” conscience, internalizing their faith and the Word of God so they can apply it to real-life situations daily.6

In the context of the upcoming election and the con-science formation process, the Catholic Church reminds people of faith that they are not alone. While the Church does not endorse candidates or instruct parishioners how to vote, it has particular responsibilities: sharing the mor-al truth about issues and encouraging believers to develop prudence. Prudence is a virtue that, if cultivated, assists individuals in “[discerning] our true good in every circum-stance and [choosing] the right means of achieving it.”7 Developing a well-formed conscience is not a one-time exercise. After casting their ballot, Catholics may con-tinue their efforts by infusing their politics with faith and Scripture, by supporting the common good, and by person-ally living out the teachings of the faith within their families, workplaces, and communities.

Conscience Formation Tips8

• Study Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and the lives of the saints.

• Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit—counsel, fear of the Lord, fortitude, knowledge, piety, understand-ing, and wisdom—to help guide the decision-mak-ing process.

• Regularly partake in an examination of conscience to hear God’s voice.

• Seek advice about conscience formation from trust-ed leaders when needed.

• Examine the facts and background information about a given choice. •

Prudence asks Catholics to consider their alternatives in a given choice, as well as what action is most fitting

in the context of the situation. St. Thomas Aquinas called it “right reason” or “wisdom concerning human affairs” in his work Summa Theologiae.

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Civilize It: Take the PledgeWhile thinking about the saints and praying for their inter-cession, Catholics can further reflect upon ways to live out the values of their faith this election season. Rather than participating in dialogue that does not respect the human person, people of goodwill can instead commit to healthy conversation. By participating in the nonpartisan Civilize It campaign created by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and adopted by the U.S. bishops, Catholics can promote civility, love their neighbor, and build community. The effort does not direct people to be silent about issues that matter; rather, it reminds Catholics how to converse with others when dis-cussing politics and the election. Take the pledge for civility, clarity, and compassion online at CivilizeItMichigan.com.9

I pledge:Civility. To recognize the human dignity of those with whom I disagree, treat others with respect, and rise above attacks when directed at me.

Clarity. To root my political viewpoints in the Gospel and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, conversa-tion, study, and listening. I will stand up for my convictions and speak out when I witness language that disparages oth-ers’ dignity, while also listening and seeking to understand others’ experiences.

Compassion. To encounter others with a tone and posture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and invites others to do the same. I will presume others’ best intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. I will strive to un-derstand before seeking to be understood. •

1, 4, 6. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, USCCB, 2019: bit.ly/2CY57yl. 2. Background about the saints came from Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, and Franciscan Media. Further information can be found at micatholic.org/2020Election. 3. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Second Edition, no. 2229: bit.ly/2PGKxVW. 5. CCC, Second Edition, no. 1778: bit.ly/2PGKxVW. 7. CCC, Second Edition, no. 1806: bit.ly/2PGKxVW. 8. “What Does it Mean to Form My Conscience?”, USCCB, 2019: bit.ly/2PEQqCT. 9. A Spanish version is available at CivilizaLaConversacion.com. Photo credits: St. Gianna Beretta Molla photo by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA 3.0 (bit.ly/2CNNjWB). Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin photo by Catholic Church England and Wales / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (bit.ly/31sK7cc). St. Kateri Tekakwitha photo by Dieterkaupp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (bit.ly/3aLekpY).

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Vol. 48, No. 3, September 2020

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